Cabinet approves UUCA amendments to lift curbs on students’ freedom, new law planned

File picture of university students participating in an anti-corruption rally at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur on January 25, 2025. The Cabinet today approved proposals to amend the existing Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA), particularly provisions seen as restricting students’ freedom of expression and association, said Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil. — Picture by Sayuti Zainuddin

By John Bunyan

First Published: Friday, 30 Oct 2026 4:26 PM MYT

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 30 — The Cabinet today approved proposals to amend the existing Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA), particularly provisions seen as restricting students’ freedom of expression and association, said Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the Cabinet also agreed to develop a new law that would eventually replace the UUCA entirely within a reasonable timeframe.

“The Cabinet today approved a proposal by the Higher Education Ministry to undertake two measures concerning the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA).

“The first is to amend the existing Act, particularly sections viewed as restricting students’ freedom of expression and association.

“The second is to develop a new law that will eventually replace the UUCA entirely within a reasonable timeframe,” he said at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference here.

Fahmi said the Cabinet had also agreed for the Higher Education Minister to table amendments to the existing UUCA in Parliament this December.

“The amendments will specifically address provisions that restrict students’ freedom.

“In December, God-willing, the Higher Education Minister will table amendments to the existing UUCA,” he said.

He said the proposed amendments were intended to immediately remove provisions that restrict students’ freedom.

However, Fahmi said drafting a new law to fully replace the existing Act would take more time, particularly as it would cover matters such as university registration, listing, management and other related aspects.

“This is because the Higher Education Ministry needs to consider several new aspects of university administration.

“We expect this to happen in 2027, although no specific year or timeline has been formally determined during the meeting. But we are looking at next year,” he added.